Record number of Blaby District athletes awarded GO GOLD funding

A record number of aspiring athletes from the Blaby District have been successful in gaining ‘GO GOLD’ funding.

A total of 25 young residents have been awarded the talented athlete funding, resulting in Blaby District having the most successful applications in Leicestershire.

The aim of the GO GOLD funding is to support talented young athletes who are currently performing at regional standard or above in their sport, including those recognised by their national governing bodies as being the future Olympic, Paralympic, Special Olympic, and Commonwealth Games potential medal winners.

Champion archer Lizzie Warner from Kirby Muxloe (above left) has secured funding this year. Champion cyclist Lucy Garner (above right), is an example of what the funding can help to achieve.

Blaby resident Lucy Garner, Double Junior Cycling Road Race Champion 2011 & 2012, has been supported by the funding for a number of years, and is a prime example of what the funding can help to achieve.

One of the athletes to secure funding this year is Lizzie Warner, a national champion in archery. She said:

“Being selected as a Go Gold athlete means that my achievements have been recognised by people outside my own sport. They believe I have the potential to achieve something special in archery and are willing to finance me to help me do it.”

“This is a fantastic achievement for the district and great to see we have so many talented athletes getting the help and support they deserve. It shows the great work undertaken by the Blaby District Local Sports Alliance and local sports clubs across the district is paying off.”

The scheme is run by Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport, funded by Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council and Rutland County Council. It financially supports athletes who live or attend a school in Leicestershire, Rutland or Leicester City.